Approximately 35 students competing in this event.
Oratory is a 7 minute, memorized, persuasive speech about any topic that is of interest to them.
Basically set up like a 5 paragraph essay.
They are supposed to back it up with research.
Students have a wide variety of topics. Here are some examples from this year:
Creativity
Child-like wonder
Sportsmanship
Animal cruelty
Bullying
Technology overuse/underuse
Human rights
Policy Debate
Approximately 25 students competing in this event.
Two teams of two debate for 45 minutes in a pro/con debate.
Topic is “The United States federal government should substantially curtail is domestic surveillance” (in areas like drones, targeted profiling and meta-data).
One side creates a plan to reduce surveillance while still keeping citizens safe. The other side attacks the plan and the topic itself.
Really research heavy.
Extemporaneous Speaking
Approximately 20 students competing in this event.
Students give 5 minute speeches about the following current event topic areas:
2016 Presidential Election
Energy
Terrorism
Immigration
Health
Students are supposed to draw from current, credible news sources for research.
Speeches are supposed to be pretty research heavy.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Approximately 20 students competing in this event.
Students debate 1-on-1 for 25 minutes in a pro/con debate.
Topic is "Adolescents ought to have the right to make autonomous medical choices" (abortion, euthanasia, and medical marijuana banned).
The topic after January is "A government ought not surveil its citizens."
Students are supposed to draw most of their research from philosophers.
Debate Resources